Page 46 of Seven Deadly Sins

“I’m ready.” Liam stepped outside and stared at Harper’s red face. “You feeling okay?”

“Just fine.” She climbed into the passenger side of the jeep. “Now what?”

“We add to the case board and wait for a message.” He hated that they knew nothing more than a man with a grudge against them because of their fathers and grandfathers, and that the man had enough money to hire an assassin. He most likely had followers, similar to a cult. The question was…how many?

He doubted it had anything to do with religion, so meetings wouldn’t be held in anything resembling a church. Something more like an AA meeting? “Where would people hold meetings outside of a church or fellowship hall?”

“The library has rooms. Some of the hotels do. The country club in Harrington…” Her blue eyes widened. “Since we’re dealing with someone with money, it stands to reason that he would be a member of the country club. It shouldn’t be too hard to get a list of members.”

“Looks like we have our plan for the day.” He turned the vehicle toward the Interstate.

“Not so fast. I just got a text.” She lit up the screen. “It’s an address in Harrington.” She typed into her phone. “Liam, it’s the Stevenson house.”

“Change of plans. Does it say anything else?”

“No. Just the address.”

Not good. Chances was the target was already dead. “How far are we?”

“Thirty-five minutes. Their place is on the opposite side of the city in a ritzy neighborhood. We’ll need to get past the gate keeper.”

Who won’t have seen a thing. Liam pressed the gas pedal, rocketing them down the Interstate. Construction set them back, making the drive forty-five minutes long.

He pulled up to the gate and showed his credentials. “Do you know whether the Stevenson family is home?”

“Mr. Stevenson has gone to work, sir. Miss Ashley is at school. I believe his wife is home.” He pressed the button to open the gate. “Please check out when you leave.”

“Has there been any other visitors this morning? People who don’t live in the community?”

“Not that I’ve seen, sir. Have a good day.”

Dismissed, Liam drove through the open gate. The road curved around, taking them past houses that could only be called mansions. He shook his head. If he had this kind of money, he wouldn’t sink it into a house or fancy cars. He’d travel the world. They arrived at the Stevenson address, and he drove up the flagstone driveway.

A whistle escaped his lips. The glass and metal house took up an acre, not counting the size of the plot. Expansive lawn stretched on all sides of the house.

“Some people have too much.” Harper shoved her door open and got out.

Liam’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen.Sometimes the sin of covetousness and lust entwine.“He’s moved on to lust. He’s combining them.”

“I’m wondering what happens when he reaches the seventh sin.” She marched beside him as they moved toward the house. “I think the seventh sin is anger.”

“That’s when he comes directly after us.” The thought chilled his blood.

He knocked on the massive double door, then pressed the doorbell, sending a melodic tone throughout the house. When no one answered, he jerked his head to the corner. “Let’s check around back.” They had every reason to enter without permission after receiving the texts, but he wanted to make sure no one was out back first.

They found no one, which he thought strange for a house that size. Where was the staff? Gardening, maid, housekeeper? He walked up the steps to a deck and drew his weapon before reaching for the door handle. The door swung open easily at his touch.

He stepped into a massive white and stainless-steel kitchen the size of most studio apartments. He stopped and listened for signs of life. When something curled around his leg, he almost jumped out of his skin.

“Just a cat.” Harper gave a whispered laugh, then cut it off short. “It’s leaving bloody footprints.”

He glanced down at the furry white feline who definitely left bloody footprints across the tile. “Stay behind me.”

“No, we’ll split up. I doubt anyone is waiting in hiding to jump out and slash us. I’ll take downstairs, you take up.”

“Yes, boss.” He grinned and walked as quietly up the wooden staircase as was possible. She was right. They most likely wouldn’t find anyone. Not alive anyway.

He passed multiple bedrooms, all with their own baths, plus a guest bathroom, a game room, and a media room. How could anyone possibly use all these rooms?